Phonomicrosurgery I: Principles and equipment

Phonomicrosurgery arose from 19th century endolaryngeal surgery, which was done through a natural passage and was one of the earliest forms of minimal ly invasive procedural interventions. The evolution and growth of laryngolo gy as a specialty is inextricably connected to the development of endoscopi c laryngeal surgery. Phonomicrosurgical techniques have evolved in the last decade of the 20th century as a group of procedures that are guided by phy siologic principles of vocal fold oscillation so as to improve vocal outcom e. The anatomic premise of these techniques is to maximally preserve the vo cal fold's layered microstructure, epithelium, and lamina propria. Phonomic rosurgery has acquired increasing importance because a dependable voice has become a necessity in our communication-based society.